Kruger United goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou is keen to capture global attention when Benin face Argentina in Lionel Messi’s final international game at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on October 6.
The Argentina captain signs off from the national team after an international career spanning 21 years. Playing in front of his home fans, Messi will be out for a memorable outing as he waves goodbye to Argentina fans with the 2022 FIFA World Cup title as one of his biggest achievements in national team colours.
The Argentina Football Association chose Benin as opponents in honouring one of the world’s football greats. Likely to take his position between the sticks for Benin is Kruger’s Dandjinou.
While Messi might want to pull the curtain down on his international career on a scoring spree, Dandjinou is unfazed. The 28-year-old shot-stopper is in his second season at the Village Boys, where he is competing for game time against Kaizer Chiefs loanee Fiacre Ntwari as his main competitor for game time.
THE WHOLE WORLD WATCHING AS DANDJINOU FACES ‘THE KING OF THE WORLD’
Underlining his experience, Dandjinou was at the 2025 AFCON finals with Benin. On Friday, he started in the 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso in a 2027 AFCON qualifier and is expected to guard goal against Mauritania on Monday.
“You know, two very important games, AFCON qualifiers, so I am focusing more on those two games. We know Argentina; it’s going to be a good game, a tough one because we are playing against big players, Messi in his last game,” Dandjinou told FARPost in an interview.
“So, it’s not going to be easy. It’s good for us also to play against Messi. Messi is one of those kings of football at the World Cup. We grew up watching Messi play, and now you play on the same pitch with him. It’s amazing and something I didn’t imagine.
“We are going to prepare well. Imagine if we have a good result; it’s going to help us in the FIFA standings. I think we are going to prepare with a good mentality.
“Everyone will be watching that game, and it’s good for us players to show what we have, and from there you can get a good opportunity. So, you have to give your best. But we don’t need to put pressure on ourselves. We need to enjoy football like other games, but this one is special. I need to give my all.
ARGENTINA GAME A PLATFORM TO PLACE DANDJINOU UNDER GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT
Dandjinou has played five of Kruger United’s seven Betway Premiership matches this season, conceding six times and keeping two clean sheets. He feels the match against Argentina could introduce him to world football.
“It’s going to help me. Yes, in my national team I’m the number one; it’s good, and imagine if I play a good game…they [teams and scouts around the world] are going to ask which team I play for,” added Dandjinou.
“So, I think it’s an opportunity for Kruger, and everyone can see Kruger have a goalkeeper who plays against Argentina and is doing well. So, I think it will help me a lot.
“I’m a Kruger player, so I’m focusing on Kruger. Every match, even league games, is an opportunity for everyone to see. That’s why every game I try to give my best. It can be a big opportunity for Kruger and me. You know us players, when we are playing, we think about going forward.”
BIGGEST MATCH OF DANDJINOU’S CAREER
Of the games he has played in his career, Dandjinou feels the upcoming Argentina fixture could be his best ever, although he leaves room for bigger assignments in future.
“Now I can say it’s the biggest match because I want to play against Messi. But we don’t know tomorrow because I’m still young and I can play many games,” the Kruger United goalkeeper went on.
“I can play against France, Spain or other big teams. But since I started my career, I can say this one is going to be the biggest because of the king.”
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